WELCOME TO BEIT: BETH EL IS THURSDAY
beit sessions for thursday january 20 - online only
BEIT EXPERIENCE I
THE EXODUS STORY: FROM TEXT TO TELLINGRabbi Ron Shulman
January 20 thru April 7 | 6:30 pm
Each week we’ll study from a core text of Jewish tradition. Beginning in the Hebrew Bible, then exploring the Prayer Book, Talmudic texts, Medieval and Modern Law Codes, and concluding with Midrash and the Haggadah, we will trace the development of the mitzvah of telling the Exodus story which we fulfill every year at our Seder tables.
(Please note: Only on January 27th The Exodus Story will meet from 6 to 6:30 pm)
BEIT EXPERIENCE II
PEOPLE LOVE DEAD JEWSAuthor Dara Horn
January 20 | 7:00 pm
A startling exploration of how Jewish history is exploited to flatter the living reflecting on subjects as far-flung as the international veneration of Anne Frank, the blockbuster traveling exhibition called “Auschwitz,” the Jewish history of the Chinese city of Harbin, and the little known “righteous Gentile” Varian Fry, Dara Horn challenges us to confront the reasons why there might be so much fascination with Jewish deaths, as emblematic of the worst of evils the world has to offer, and so little respect for Jewish lives, as they continue to unfold in the present.
Horn draws on her own family’s life — trying to explain Shakespeare’s Shylock to a curious 10-year-old, her anger when swastikas are drawn on desks at her children’s school in New Jersey, the profound and essential perspective offered by traditional religious practice, prayer, and study — to assert the vitality, complexity, and depth of this life against an anti-Semitism that, far from being disarmed by the mantra of “Never forget,” is on the rise.
Dara Horn joins us via Zoom to discuss her best-selling book and to dialogue with Rabbi Shulman.
Jewish Life & Community: Concerning Trends and Exciting Opportunities
Rabbi Phil Graubart, Rabbi Avi Libman, Rabbi Ron Shulman
February 3 & 10 | 7:00 pm
Join the rabbis of Congregation Beth El as they explore what concerns and excites them about Jewish life and Jewish community today - and as they imagine the future. Each week one rabbi will teach from a text reflecting his perspective. After our learning, the rabbis will dialogue with each other and participants.
(Please note: Only on January 27th The Rabbis’ Hour will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
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JEWISH CALIFORNIARob Eshman
National Editor of The Forward
February 17 | 7:00 pm
Rob Eshman writes a weekly “Letter from California” which brings a local lens to Jewish news and a Jewish lens on all things California. Rob, the Forward’s national editor and the former editor and publisher of the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, looks at the world’s most innovative, exciting Jewish communities, along with what matters in Sacramento, Silicon Valley and, of course, Hollywood. He also writes a blog, “Foodism,” which explores food and its relation to history, tradition, spirituality, social justice and the environment.
Rob Eshman joins us via Zoom for his presentation and to dialogue with Rabbi Shulman.
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Jewish Life & Community: Concerning Trends and Exciting Opportunities
Rabbi Jason Nevarez, Congregation Beth Israel San Diego
Rabbi Ron Shulman
Rabbi Jason Nevarez of Congregation Beth Israel joins with Rabbi Shulman to explore what concerns and excites them about Jewish life and Jewish community today - and as they imagine the future. Each rabbi will teach from a text reflecting his perspective. After our learning, the rabbis will dialogue with each other and participants.
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SPECIAL BEIT SESSION FOR OUR TEENS*
*Parents and Adults welcome to join, too.
OUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES AS JEWS
Mr. Chanan Weissman
White House Liaison to the American Jewish Community
January 27 | 6:30 pm
We are delighted to welcome via Zoom Chanan Weissman whom President Biden recently appointed as the White House liaison to the Jewish community. In his role, Mr. Weissman seeks input from and represents the administration to the larger Jewish community. He will dialogue with our teens and high school students about leadership and our civic responsibilities as Jews. Though this program is for our teens, their parents and our community’s adults are invited to listen in on the conversation.
“Pre and Post Covid: What Jewish Community Means to Me?”
Betzy Lynch, CEO, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
Tammy Gillies, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League
Beth Sirull, President and CEO, Jewish Community Foundation
with Rabbi Ron Shulman
March 3, 10, & 24 | 7:00 pm
Three communal leaders and Beth El members will reflect a bit and share a text or idea that represents their sense of Jewish community. Their discussion about Jewish life and Jewish San Diego with Rabbi Shulman and participants will also try to imagine what to carry forward from the past and to see different in the future.
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THE TELLINGAuthor Mark Gerson
March 31 | 7:00 pm
In The Telling, Mark Gerson shows us how to make the Seder the most engaging, inspiring, and important night of the Jewish year. The Telling will enable you to see what the Haggadah really is: The Greatest Hits of Jewish Thought. This understanding will enable you to provide your guests with the most interesting, insightful and practically helpful night of the year—with teachings and lessons that will continue to brighten in the year to come.
Mark Gerson, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the co-founder of Gerson Lehrman Group, African Mission Healthcare, and United Hatzalah of Israel. A graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School, Mark is the author of books on intellectual history and education. His articles and essays on subjects ranging from Frank Sinatra to the biblical Jonah have been published in The New Republic, Commentary, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He writes a weekly Torah column for the Christian Broadcasting Network and hosts the popular podcast The Rabbi’s Husband, and recently launched Torah Academy, an online resource for channeling the Torah’s practical insight and wisdom to live a happier, more successful life. Mark is married to Rabbi Erica Gerson. They and their four children live in New York City.
Mark Gerson joins us via Zoom to discuss his best-selling book and to dialogue with Rabbi Shulman. Mark Gerson joins us courtesy of the Jewish Book Council.
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Rabbi Ron Shulman
April 7 | 7:00 pm
It’s our third pandemic Passover and again time to tell the Exodus story. What new insights and understandings can we bring to our Seder tables this year? What have we learned since last Passover? How might we read ourselves and our experiences into the Exodus story? Join Rabbi Shulman to explore the Haggadah and Passover holiday for meaning and ideas as we prepare for our Seder celebrations.
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beth el is torah
Study of Jewish Law & Lore
Rabbi Avi Libman
We use the Shulchan Arukh as a beginning point for our conversation, which covers current questions and topics of interest
Study of Texts and Topics
Minyan participants offer their insights and knowledge on many Jewish texts and topics and enjoy learning from each other.
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Talmud Study Class
Rabbi Ron Shulman
Come enjoy the steady and slow experience of studying the core text of Rabbinic Judaism, the Talmud. We learn what the Talmud is and how it informs Jewish life today. Though we study in English, references to Hebrew will be useful as we make our way in discussing and understanding the texts we read.
Come enjoy the steady and slow experience of studying the core text of Rabbinic Judaism, the Talmud. We learn what the Talmud is and how it informs Jewish life today. Though we study in English, references to Hebrew will be useful as we make our way in discussing and understanding the texts we read.
Torah Reading
Dr. Ran Anbar
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